While effectively the real damage was done in the first half, with Bristol conceding four tries, three of which were the result of errors, they made a significant attempt to pull off a miracle after the break, but kept shooting themselves in the foot.

42nd minute - Bristol full back Jordan Williams made a stunning break through the centre of the Jersey backline, using his sparkling feet to bamboozle the defence as he has so many times this season on his way to scoring 10 league tries. Everything was set up for a moment of deja vu, with Rhodri Williams - one of the best supporting scrum halves in the game - alongside him and one to beat. But the Welsh full back failed to execute the two on one and was tackled, eventually turning over the ball. Chance gone - a try just a couple of minutes into the second half would have changed the entire momentum of the second period.

46th minute - Ian Madigan kicks a penalty to the corner and gets Bristol to within five metres of the line. Joe Joyce is lifted in the middle of the line out but the throw from hooker Jason Harris-Wright is slightly undercooked and Jersey get up to spoil it. Chance gone.

48th minute - A chance for another momentum shift. Bristol Rugby are back to 15 men after Siale Piutau returned from the sin bin for tackling a man in the air. The home side have an attacking scrum just 10 metres out from the Reds’ try line, just right of the posts. With the power of Leiua on one wing, the speed of Luke Morahan on the other and the dancing feet of Jordan Williams in between, a simply recycle and couple of wide passes provided a golden scoring chance. But the Bristol pack are too quick with their engagement at the scrum and concede a free kick allowing Jersey to clear their lines.

53rd minute - The killer blow which cost the game. Bristol have been the only team in the contest so far in the second half but temporarily they are in their own half. Rather than playing the numbers game and kicking long for territory they try and run the ball from near their 22. It’s not necessarily the wrong decision because they had an over lap down the left wing which skipper Tusi Pisi spots, only his pass was telegraphed and with Jersey defender Tom Pincus outnumbered and facing an almost certain try if Bristol can get the ball wide the winger gambles and intercepts the ball to score untouched. Now it is a 15 point gap between the sides which vitally means who tries are not enough for victory.

55th minute - Pat Lam admitted after the game he will have to go back and evaluate his performance as well and the decision to change Harris-Wright for Nick Fenton-Wells may be something he will look back on with regret. The backrow, who has converted to hooker this season, had a tough 25 minutes, particularly at line out time - an area where he is obviously far from an expert having only been throwing in for less than a season.

56th minute - Fenton-Wells’ first line out on half way line is unsuccessful and Bristol hand over the ball to the visitors.

59th minute - Joe Joyce breaks down-field and is hauled down just short of the line but Bristol fail to recycle the ball quickly, partly through foul play from Jake Woolmore who is shown yellow for a professional foul. Should it have been a penalty try as well? Possibly - but referee Ian Tempest didn’t think so.

62nd minute - Bristol concede a penalty to allow Jersey flyhalf Brendan Cope to make it an 18 point gap with less than 20 minutes remaining. 20-38

78th minute - Another prime chance for Bristol. Madigan kicks a penalty to the corner and gets the home side to within five metres; but the line out from Fenton-Wells is overthrown, misses everyone and is gathered by Jersey at the back and cleared.

79th minute - Sam Jeffries scores, Madigan converts 34-38.

80th minute - Bristol gather the kick off with the clock ticked 80 and attack down the flank. Jersey pile men into the ruck and look to have turned the ball over but somehow Bristol counter ruck and maintain possession. Madigan sees Jordan Williams free in space on the far side and launches a cross-field kick but it is just too far in front of the full back to take on the full and the ball bounces horribly, the chance goes and Jersey put the ball out to herald the final whistle.